General Headquarters — Columbus, Ohio
For Immediate Release: September
29, 2003
Contact: Lt. Tony Bradshaw (614) 752-2792
MARYSVILLE – A Racine man will appear in the Marysville Municipal Court today after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $160,000 worth of marijuana Sunday morning.
Don A. Stephenson, 30, was charged with possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony.
Troopers from the Marysville Post stopped a 1996 Buick Skylark driven by Stephenson, for a lane violation on eastbound State Route 245, near U.S. 33, in Union County at 5:02 a.m. Sunday.
A consent search of the vehicle revealed 71 pounds of raw marijuana contained in four duffle bags in the trunk of the vehicle. The marijuana has an estimated street value of approximately $160,000.
The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance
from troopers, conducted a search of a rural field near North Lewisburg.
A search of the field resulted in the confiscation of numerous live plants
of marijuana.
Stephenson was incarcerated at the Tri-County Jail. If convicted, he could
face up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
The investigation remains ongoing. For additional information regarding the North Lewisburg seizure, contact the Champaign County Chief Deputy Dan Bentley or Lieutenant Brent Emmons at 937-652-1311.
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03-210
www.statepatrol.ohio.gov
A division of the Ohio Department
of Public Safety